Dishwashing, scouring, and polishing sink



1951 H. J. MODREY DI$HWASHING SCOURINE; AND POLISHING SINK 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1946 Y; My WE TE N NR R MD N r OZA N Md 1% W. E H

Dec. '18, 1951 H. J. MODREY DISK-{WASHING SCOURING AND POLISHING smx Filed April 5, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 w t m t i VENT'OR HENRI Jo/m/ Moo/en Br W /11mg 1W Dec; 18, 1951 J. MODREY DISHWASHING SCOURING AND POLISHING SINK 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 5. 1946 MM 0 0 m J V R m H J 2 My HTT'ORNE) Dec. 18, 1951 H.-J. MO'DREY DISHWASHING SCOURING AND POLISHING SINK 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 Filed April 5, 1946 IM E/vrbk HENRY Jomv MOORE) Dec. 18, 1951 H. J. MODREY DISHWASHING SCOURING AND POLISHING SINK Filed April 5, 1946 7 Shgets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR NR r Joy/v Moo/25 Dec. 18, 1951 J, MODREY 2,579,393

D IS HWASHING SCOURING AND POLISHING SINK Filed April 5, 1946' 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 .9 9 l6 66 695%, A5 \l I a7 v '9 7 I I \Illl IN VE/V TOR HE/VR Y JOHN Mom Hay Arron/v6) Dec. 18, 1951 H. J. MODREY DISHWASHING SCOURING AND POLISHING SINK 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed A ril 5, 1946 &

5/ r INVENI'OR HENRY JOHN Non/en 1 15.20. I

V washing of crockery,

Patented Dec. 18, 1951 S PATENT OFFICE DISHWASHING, SCOURING, AND

POLISHING SINK Henry John Modrey,

signor to of Essex,

Application April 5, 1946,

In Great Britain May 4,

Modrey Pa N. J a corporationof New Jersey Stanmore, England, astents Corporation, County Serial No. 659,812

Claims. (01. 4 -131) This invention relates to domestic sinks.

Numerous domestic operations such as the the scouring of cooking utensils, the peeling of potatoes and the washing of small articles of wearing apparel are most conveniently and usually performed at the domestic sink but hitherto such equipment as has been available for. performing the various functions has had no functional relation to the sink. a l

There has already come into use power driven mechanical devices such as dish washing and clotheswashing equipment and the use of such equipmentis increasing. Hitherto, however, each apparatus has been a self-containedunit with its own driving motor and apart from such apparatus being therefore necessarily expensive they have been such as to occupy considerable space and moreover to be unsightly.

The present invention is based on the twofold conception of providing a sink capable of use as an ordinary domestic sink but adapted to the performance of a variety of domestic wash: ing, scouring and polishing and other operations capable of being effected by rotation or; in other words, to provide a sink with means whereby the variety of different implements or appliances useful for performing various functions capable of being effected by rotary motioncan be coupled and uncoupled to and from driving connection with a common source of power, such as an electric, motor, without in any way interfering with the'normal use of the sink.

- :To-vthis end the invention consists broadly. of a; domestic sink having a rotatable spindle accessible from within the sink adapted to have applied thereto, in driving connection interchangeablerotary appliances or implements and a-source of power located externally of the sink operatively connected to rotate said spindle.

.. The invention further comprises the utilisation,of;'a passage'leading from the sink bottom an'd'.'capable of functioning as the housing. for a-motor driven spindle adapted to function as agdraining opening and the invention further comprises washing, cleaning, polishing and other domestic devices provided with means adapted to be connected in driving relation :to a motor driven spindle.

. Without excluding from the scope of the invention the adaptation of sinks already in being, or the use of single sink units for alldomestic purposes as well as for the purposes of my invention, the invention advantageously involves the provision of a special ,sink construction since,

to obtain the full benefiits of the invention in the most convenientmanner a sink of considerable depth is desirable and a complete construction of sink equipment according to my invention may therefore comprise, in addition to the sink having the special features essential to my invention, a second sink suitable for normal use.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into practice, a practical embodiment thereof is illustrated by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, in which H Figure 1 is-a perspective view of a double sink kitchen unit, one sink in accordancewith the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the sink basin incorporating the invention;

Figure 3'is a partial front elevation of the sink with doors and accessories panel removed;

Figure 4 is a partialside section through the sink, as aforesaid, the section being taken on the line A--A of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional plan of the fitment, as aforesaid, on the line B-B of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section through a waste fitment of the sink illustrating a practical method of carrying out the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the appliance arranged to operate as a dish-washing machine; Figures 8a and 8b are a section and plan view respectively of the agitator of the dish-washing appliance; Y

Figures 9a and 9b are a plan view and side elevation respectively of the dish-washing tray;

Figure 10 shows a special appliances holder or shaft for insertion into the dish-washing agitator; V

Figure 11 shows a rotary brush adapted. to be applied to an appliances holder;

Figure 12 shows a rotary scourer; I

Figure 13 shows a rotary polishing mop;

Figure 14 shows a flexibleappliances holder; 7

Figure 15 shows a rotary cutlery sharpener;

Figures 16, 16b and area section andplan view respectively of a clothes washing drum;

Figure 17 shows a vertical wringer;

Figure: 18 shows a potato peeler;

Figure 19 shows a liquid mixer;

1 Figure 20 shows a flexible shaft drive;

Figure 21 shows a rotary wast fitment by means of which the invention can be applied to grind down kitchen refuse. I

, .So far as is-possible like reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts wherever occurring. V

of which is constructed vantageous to the use thereof, under domestic conditions; The larger and deeper sink 9 with a centrally'located fitment l shown on the left is constructed inaccordance with the invention.

In one corner of the sink is provided the primary J waste fitment ll of customary construction,

whose only function is to drain the contents of the sink into the waste pipe by'means ofthe U-trap 12. the fitment H3 is likewise connected with the U-trap l2 and functions as an additional drainage opening, and the overflow fitments l3, l4

inside both sinks are also connected up to the U-trap l2.

The central rotary waste fitment l0 and its associated mechanism is shown in Figure 6. To the horizontal top plate of frame l5 which is afiixed to the cabinet and/or the -floor, a bear- 4 driving shafts of various appliances. In Figures 4 and 6 one such appliances shaft 30 is shown in inserted position, with the driving slots 3! in its bottom end pushed over the driving pins 31a and 31b projecting inside the rotary sleeve'ls. By the insertion of the appliances shaft 301, the spring clip 32 is guided over and snaps past the tip of one of the driving pins, and thus registers the appliances shaft 30 in its correct operative position. The sprin clip 32 is so arranged that it ensures that the rubber washer 33a, positioned in the centre part of the appliances shaft 36 by means of the fixed collar 33b is compressed against the top opening of the rotary sleeve l8. By these means, the bearing H is secured against leakage of water between ap- The central opening leading from-v ing housing 16 is fastened by means of the bolts and-nuts ll. Connection and alignment between bearing housing and sink is effected by the waste bush It, the upper part'of which constitutes the visible upper part of the central'waste passage inside the sink 9. t

Inside the passage and immediately below the waste bush [9 is the upper opening of a rotary sleeve or spindle I B which is made fromnonrusting metal, and is mounted in the self-oiling bearings I9a, [9b. The=bearings are protected against influx of water, by a rotary gland which consists of the rubber U-ring 20 which is tensioned by the internal "rubber ring 2L It will be evident that access to the rotary glandfor purposes of exchange can be had by unscrewing the waste bush in from" the inside of the sink.

' The lower end of the rotary sleeve fi-pr'otrudes' from the bottom end of the bearing'housing l6, and carries a pulley 23 by means of which it can be rotated from an electric motor or other source of power. A thrust washer24 is provided between the pulley and the bottom end of bearing [9b. Below the pulley, the rotary sleeve l8 protrudes some distance inside anothertubular fitment 25 which is affixed to bracket 26 which in turn is attached to the side members of frame I5, the construction of which is shown best in Figure 2. From this tubular fitment 25," the Waste is carried to the U-trap [2 shown in Figure 5. To avoid any leakage of water, the rotary sleeve I8 should protrude some distance" below the opening of the surrounding tubular fitment 25. Furthermor' leading away from the U-trap I 2 should be below the level of the bottom end of the rotary sleeve I8. The overflow fitments l3 and I4 discharge by-means of the pipe 28 into the U-trap l2.

It will be evident th-at with these plumbing arrangements,the sinks has means for drainage either through the primary waste fitment II or through the central waste bush in as well as the customary'means' for the-protection against overflow, so that its use for all ordinary purposes is in no way interfered with. "However, for greater convenience, a second sink 29 may be provided as shownwhich is preferably shallower andsmallerthan sink 9. v

The rotarysleeve I8 is adapted to receivethe e, the level of the wastepipe pliances shaft 30 and rotary sleeve [8 when an appliance shaft is in situ and is used whilst there iswater in the sink.

The frame I5 carries on one side member a bracket 21a on which an electromotor 34 is slidably mounted in slots 27b. Theupper end of the motor shaft carries a pulley 36 which is connected through V belt 37, with pulley 23 fixed on the rotary sleeve l8. 1

The motor 34 is connected to the electric supply through an operating switch 38 in the front of the cabinet, and a tell-tale-light 39 which shows whenthe motor is running is preferably connected in the circuit. A junction box 4015 provided to facilitate wiring. H

When the motor is switched on, it drives the rotary sleeve 18 into which exchangeable appliances shafts 30 can be inserted, as described with reference to Figure 6.

The central waste bush I!) may be closed by a removable stopper 4| which is provided with a grip ring, and serves to close the centralwaste bush when the rotary power drive is not in use. Below the upper part of the waste bush I0 is a cylindrical opening provided with a slot 43,

and adapted to receive and grip appliances bushes referred to hereinafter, and provided with guide pins, which latter are arranged toenter into slot 43 and thus prevent such appliances bushes from rotating. I V 7 The sink 9 canbe closed by a hinged lid 44 whose rubberedge 45, shown in Figure 4, bears tightly against the rim of the sink basin 9'11 the lid is closed by means of a pin 46a (see Figure 2) which is held by a catch 46b in the sink surround- If closed, the lid 44 serves as a draining board for the second sink basin 29. If opened, the lid 44 is held by a support 41. If space permits, this support may be arranged to secure the opened lid in horizontal position or a position slightly inclined to the horizontal so that its underside forms a draining board for sink basin 9. From the arrangement as described, it willbe evident that with the stopper 4| inside the rotary waste bush Hi, the sink 9 can be usedin the manner of an ordinary kitchen sink, as before mentioned. If the stopper. 4! is removed,the rotary drive is ready to, receive the various interchangeable accessories which can be rotated irrespective of whether the sinkcontains water, or is empty. 7 i I c It is desirable, from the domestic users point of view, to exchange accessories as seldom as possible. In practical experienca'it has been'found most expedient to arrange the accessories in such a manner that the sink embodying the invention, is in constant readiness as a dish-washing machine,-'and to provide means for-certain -other accessories as described hereinaftento-be added screwed on to the'mandril 60 to this arrangement, without the necessity of first'removing the dish-washing accessories. This preferred arrangement is shown in Figures '7 to 8b.

For this purpose, the shaft 30 of the multibladed agitator 48 shown best in Figure 8a is inserted into the central waste bush l until its driving slots 3| engage with the driving pins 31a and 3lb as previously described with reference, in general, to the coupling of appliances shafts. The-dish-washing tray 49 shown in Figures 7, 9a and 9b and consisting of a wire-mesh tray supported on legs 50 and provided with appropriate handles I, is put into the sink 9 over the agitator 48 which is thus protected from accidental contact, and has suflicient clearance for the horizontal blades 48a to rotate freely between sink bottom and wire tray. Dishes, glassware, cutlery and the like are stacked in arbitrary order on the tray, unless it is preferred to charge the tray outside the sink and insert it fully loaded. It is desirable that the dirty side of plates be turned downwards and that the crockery and the like be arranged in such a way that water can penetrate to all surfaces. If many dishes or the like of uniform size and shape are to be washed regularly, dish holders of known kind which provide appropriate interspacing, mayadvantageously be used, and deposited on the wire tray 49. The sink is then filled with warm water to which cleansing liquid or powder may be added. The lid 44 is closed, and when themotor 34 is switched on, the agitator 48 sets up a violent turbulence within the sink which drives the water continuously over all exposed surfaces thus effecting thorough cleansing. s

For rinsing, the plug of the primary corner waste fitment II which is'accessible through the meshes of the wire tray is pulled out by means of chain 52,- the sink drained, and fresh water admitted, whereupon theabove power-washing operation is repeated. The identical operation may be used to wash vegetables.

For-drying, the water isdrained from the sink, the lid is closed and the motor switched on. Without water the agitator '48 operates as a fan to drive the air within the enclosed sink basin over the dishes which are thus air-dried.

If dishes are covered with very hard encrusted food remainders which the motion of the Water alone is not capable of removing, the water is drained from the sink, and the appliances holder 53 shown in Figure is pushed into the open top end 54 of the agitator'48. To permit access, a central hole 55 is provided in the wire tray 49. The slots 56 and the spring clip 51 in the appliances shaft 53 engage with the driving pins 53 in the top end- 54 of the agitator 48 in a like manner' as the insertion of appliances shafts 30 into the rotary sleeve [8 aspreviously described with relation to Figure 6. I 'A round brush 59 as shown in Figure 11' is V which forms the topof the appliances holder 53. When the motor is switched on, this brush 59 revolves over the dish-washing tray (together with the agitator 4'8) and such moist dishes as may require further cleansing as aforesaid, are held against the rotary brush for final mechanical power-cleansing.

For the scouring or scrubbing of pots and pans,

.the' brush '59 is replaced by a scouring brush 59a as shown in Figure 12. The inside of pots, pans and similar receptacles is power-scrubbed.- by holding the" inverted vessel with some pressure over the rotating scrubbing brush 59a; arid submetal articles, cutlery, and the like is carried out by means of'the rotary polishing mop.

It may be useful to provide several appliances holders 53 of different length so as to be able to reach the inside bottom of a high vessel for which purpose a longer shaft is obviously required, or the different lengths required may bev built up from sections or lengths adapted to be connected together.

It is evident that owing to the rotation of the agitator 48 below the dish-washing tray, the operations ofscrubbing and polishing as described must be carried out whilst the sink is drained of water as otherwise the agitator wouldsplash water about. If it is desired to perform such operations with water inside the sink, the appliances holder 33 shown in Figure 6 which isintended for direct coupling to the rotary sleeve l8 with the dish-washing implements removed, must be used either by itself, or inserted through thecentre hole in the dish-washing tray.

For vessels of odd shape, or for pans with long handles, it may be useful to provide a flexible appliances holder 82 as shown in Figure 14 in which a coil spring 63 or other flexible rod con nectirig the divided shaft 30 is used topermit axial deflection of the top end of the holder carrying the mandril 60' and the appliances fixed thereto. The appliances holder shown in Figure 14 is intended for direct coupling, but may of course ,be designed in accordance with Figure 10 for coupling to the agitator 4B. I

It will be evident that various'rotary implements of known kind may be used attached to the mandril 50 of appliancesholders. Byway of exthe cabinet 2, and primarily serves the purpose of shielding the electromotor and 'V-belt drive from accidental touch. 1

The washing of clothes is a less frequent housekeeping operation than dish-washing, and therefore does not require the necessary appliance to be kept in constant readiness. Thejdish-washing tray and agitator are removed, and the clothes washing drum-61 shown in Figures 16a and 16b is inserted into the central waste fitment H1. The driving slots 3! engage the driving pins 3m and 3Ibof the rotary sleeve l8, and the rubber washer 33a seals the top opening of the rotary tube as hereinb'efore described. Owing to the weight of the drum, provision inside the shaft of a spring clip 32 is superfluous, and it is preferable to make the shaft 30 solid. The weight of thewashirig drum also makes it desirable to relieve the bearing l9a and I9!) by introducing additional support for the drum 61. This is supplied by a loose sleeve 68 which surrounds the drum shaft 30, and upon 7 insertion of the appliance becomes seated inside part 42 01' the central waste bush I0. .The sleeve 88 with its guide pin13 is shown in Figure 160 consists of plastic or metal, and its top surface 68a serves to support the rotating boss 69 on which the fabricatedrwashing 61 is built up. The connection between boss .69 and the drum shaft 3D is efiected by a screwed stud 10 engaging a threaded v bore inside the boss 69. In this connection, it may be mentioned that all screw threads used in the fitment and its appliances should tighten in opposite direction to the rotation of the motor, as otherwise appliances or implements would tend to unscrew themselves.

The bottom B'la, as well as side walls 61b, of the washing drum 6? are provided with slots H one edge of which is bent outwards in the fashion of turbine blades. provided with a wire netting basket or screen 610 so asto prevent the contents of. thefdrum from being drawn outwards through the slots 7!. The drum, when inserted, leaves a considerable gap below the sink lid 44 of the sink so that swirling water may enter the drum-from the top.

The washing drum is filled'with clothes, and hot water is admitted/to 'the sink dto winch soap powder or cleansing chemicals are added. The lid 54 is closed, and when the motor 36 is switched on, the washing drum E? rotates quickly.

The slots 1! are shaped so as .to .tend to induce the water inwards, andconsequently the water is constantly drawn wth great force and turbulence through the contents of the washing drum. Agitated water is also constantly thrown into the drum from the top, as aiorementioz ii. The cleansing action of the flowing water intensified by the difference in rotational speed between the clothes inside the drum and the water in the sink basin. The contents oithe drum and the liquid inside the sink dov not rotate as one solid mass (as would be the case if a round sink were provided), but-as the corners of the square sink basin act asa hydraulic brake on the water tending to rotate outside the drum, the difference in relative rotational speed as aforesaid results in a strong flow of water and turbulence which intensifies the mechanical cleansing action exercised by the water, and the development oflsoap lather.

If required, this relative speed difference can be further intensified if the clothes inside the drum. are prevented from rotating with the drum, by temporarily affixing to the inside of the sink lid M a rod or. paddle which points vertically downwards inside the, washing drum close to its inner walls. (This arrangement which] is not ordinarily required. for efiicierr;

washing, constitutes a mechanised. reversal cf the "process used in the-primitive wash boilers in which stationary clothes are agitatedthrough rotation by hand by means of a'wooden paddle.) For rinsing, the soapy water' is drained 05%.

and fresh water is admitted. It will be obvious I that the primary waste fitment I! must be situated outside the diameter of the washing drum as shown in Figure 2, so as to permit removal of the waste stopper with the drum in position. unless a lever-operated pop-upwaste fitment is provided. 7 g 7 Clothes may subsequently be damp-dried he rotating the washing drum 6'7 withoutany Water in the sink. The centrifugal force thusexertei on the clothes insidethe drum=, tends tosqueeae The inside. of the drum is the water out, and to throw it against theside walls of the sink basin.

The rotary drive provided within the sink may also be used for power wringing. A vertical wringer for connection to the rotary drive is shown in Figure 17. The appliances shaft 32 which serves to turn the wringer is pushed into the central waste fitment iii where it connects with. the driving mechanism as hereinbefore described. The seating bush 7! is pushed into the opening 42 of the centralwaste fitment iii, and the guide pin 13 on the outside of the seating bush l2 enters into the. slot 43v inside the opening 42 (see Figure 6). The seating bush T2 is thus connected to the waste fitment 16, but is prevented by the guide pin 'i'3 from rotating, inside the waste fitment. A gear 14c may be interposed between the appliance shaft 39 of the wringer and the driven squeezing roller 14 of the wringer. V

The wringer is supported in its upright position inside the sink, by a distancing arm 75, or by a clamp bearing against or fastening the frame 76 of the wringer to one side of the sink. Clothers are fed through into the wringer in customary manner, the water running into the sink whence it is drained through the primary waste fitment II.

It will be evident that the provision of,

power drive coupling according to my invention, permits of various rotary appliances of moreor-less known kind to be temporarily attached to the sink. By way of example a potato peeler as shown in Figure 18 is described hereinafter. To the bottom of pot H is attached-a seating bush 72 provided with a guide pin 73,. and adapted to be inserted into the central waste fitment it as described with reference to Fig ure 17. Penetrating through and protruding from the bottom of the seating bush 12 is an appliances shaft 38 which connects with the rotary drive as previously described. Attached to the top of the shaft by means of a threaded stud is a disc i8 adapted to be rotated inside and near the bottom of the pot. The disc l8 has near its edge several radial humps or raised portions lsa. The disc as well as the inside of the pot i6 have sharp grating surfaces, either by providing suitable indentations or sharpedged holes in the metal, or other means ofeifecting abrasion, V i

If potatoes are put into the pot, and the motor is switched on, the disc 18 rotates, and the humps 18a throw the potatoes up against the side walls, whence they fall back again on to the disc. By this process, the potatoes are scraped, and if water is admitted to the sink.

I the rotary tube !8, and thus connected .to the during the operation, are simultaneously washed. It will be obvious that other mechanised domes- .i tic appliances driven by rotary motion, such as dough mixers, fruit juice extractors, cofiee grinders, egg heaters, and the like, can beadapted to be inserted through the fitment Ill, and to be driven from belowby an appliance shaft 30, as

described above. Figure 19 shows a liquid mixer adapted as aforesaid. The container 79 is pro vided below its bottom seating bush 12 with a guide pin 73 for insertion into the central waste fitment ill, as aforesaid. The bore of the seating is continued inside the container 19 by means of a central tube 80. The shaft 30 is inserted into rotary drive, The container 19, filled with liquid, is pushed into the central waste bush. Ill, and the tube 8| carrying several agitator bladest lc, is'

pushed over the central tube 80 and connected -to the shaft 30 by the threaded stud 82 which is 'aflixed to the'closed top end 8Ib of the tube 8|.

When the motor is switched on, the agitator blades Ella inside the container 19 which is preferably closed by a cap or lid 19a are set into motion. After unscrewing stud 82 and removing the agitator, the container 19 can be removed,

' scribed.

. An appliance of different type than those before mentioned, is shown in Figure 20 which illustrates a flexible shaft drive. The core 83 of the shaft terminates in'an appliances shaft 30, for insertion into the rotary sleeve 18. The casing 84 is affixed to a seating bush 12 with guide pin 13 for temporary coupling to the central waste bush ID, as aforesaid. The core 83 rotates: the chuck 840. or another suitable holder to which rotary appliances such as brushes and the like may be connected. The flexible shaft drive may be used to perform operations such as power brushing or polishing, outside the sink, or to connect the power coupling at the sink bottom, to appliances which are located outside the sink and are for instance affixed to the drainin board. v

Obviously, the motor provided below the sink may be utilized to operate a refuse grinding waste fitment of known type, ordinarily closed by a large diameterstopper, and situated by preference in the sink basin 29. Figure 21 however shows a rotary waste fitment according to my invention, but adapted (in addition to acting as a powerrcoupling) to grinddown and dispose of kitchen refuse. This fitment being closely akin to the fitment shown in Figure 6, frequent reference is made to component parts shown and described with reference to Figure 6.

' The housing 85 is fastened to the underside of the horizontal top plate of the supporting frame l5, and is aflixed to the sink 9 by the waste bush 86 which screws into the housing 85, and has an appropriate seating surface 86a for a stopper, and a cylindrical slotted portion 8% (corresponding to 42, 43 in Figure 6, except for the enlarged size) which is adapted to receive the seating bushes and guide pins (corresponding to 12, 13) of accessories as described. The inside of the housing 85 carries a cylindrical insert 81, provided with a grating or grinding surface, as well as the self-oiling bearings 88a and 8%. These bearings surround the rotary tube 89 which protrudes below the housing, and carries the driving pulley 23, below the thrust washer 2G. The bottom end of the rotary tube 89, well below the driving pins 3m and Slb, is closed as the housing is drained through the integral spigot 90 which is connected to the U-trap l2.

Affixed to the upper part of the rotary tube 89 is a metal cone 9| made from or covered with a grating or grinding surface 92, leaving a narrow gap 93 between the stationary and the rotating abrasive surface.

If kitchen waste or refuse is thrown into the fitment whilst in motion, it is ground between r the stationary and the rotating abrasive surfaces 8'! and 92 to the size of the gap 93, and is subsequently washed down with the water draining from the sink 9 into the waste.

If not in use as a refuse grinder, it is obvious 10 that the rotary tube 89 (in-conjunction with the seating surface andslot 86a and 86b) forms a coupling according to my invention, and adapted to receive the appliances shafts and seating bushes of rotary appliances as hereinbefore described. However, if so used, means must be provided so as to prevent the contents of the sink from being drained off (corresponding in function to 20 in Figure 6). This object can be achieved by providing a stop valve in or below spigot to' prevent the water from flowing out of the sink.

The practical advantage of the invention lies in the provision within the confines of a kitchen fitment customarily provided, of various exchangeable power-driven household appliances.

Its practical advantages further reside in the transfer to the kitchen sink, of operations such as power-scrubbing and polishing which are apt .to spatter dirt particles. Although these operations are in constant industrial use, their use under domestic'conditions is impractical but for my invention which confines the dirt inevitably resulting from these processes, to the only spot within a kitchen whence itis easily washed down, viz. the kitchensink.

Moreover, apart from making the expensive source of power, viz. the electromotor, common to various appliances and applications, a further advantage of my invention is that it makes available for-all such purposes, the hot and cold water installation ordinarily provided with a kitchen sink, as well as the arrangements for the conveyance of waste. The invention thus. obviates considerable .costs for separate plumbinginstallations for hot and coldwater and waste, as is for instance required in ordinary domestic .washing machines, potato peelersor other single-purpose appliances requiring water for their operation.

Apart from domestic applications in which the power-operated sink hereinbefore described, has the advantages enumerated above, the saving in both space and weight in the arrangements required for the mechanical performance of domestic tasks (as compared with the provision of several single-purpose appliances) is an obvious advantage for all kitchen installations where considerations of space and weight are ofimportance, such as for instance in railroad cars or airplanes.

It will be evident that in a technical sense, the invention does not require provision of a domestic sink, but merely requires provision of a receptacle with the appropriate plumbing installation and it will therefore be understood that the term sink used herein is used in that generic sense.

It will further be evident that numerous modifications may be made in the arrangement and combination of parts as described by way of example, without deviating from the invention. For instance, a rotary power coupling may be placed vertically in the side of a sink basin which would require slightly difierent accessories and arrangements than those described in the above preferred embodiment of my invention. It will further be evident that the method of coupling permits of considerable variation in the arrangement of parts, without deviating from the invention.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the invention is susceptible of many uses, among which may be mentioned specifically:

Washing of cutlery, crockery and glass;

Washing of vegetables;

marily advantageous for operations with which wateris concerned, can be adapted for use in all cases where the function can be rotary motion.

I claim:

1. An attachment for a sink of the type having an opening through one of its walls, the said attachment comprising in combination a tubular spindle selectively adapted to discharge liquid and waste therethrough or to receive and support performed by an appliance, support means for rotatablysupporting the spindle in a position outside the sink in which the end of the spindle facing the sink wall having said opening therethrough is disposed slightly below the said wall and in registry with the said opening for providing access to the spindle from within the sink, drive means for rotating the spindle and an appliance received therein, and a stationarily mounted drain conduit disposed in alignment with and encompassing the other end of the spindle fordraining'liquid and waste discharge from the sink through said spindle.

2. An attachment as described in claim 1 for a sink having said opening in its bottom wall, and wherein said tubular spindle is arranged to be rotatably mounted substantially vertically to said bottom wall.

3. An attachment as described in claim 1, wherein a liquid-tight bearing for the spindle is supported on said support means for preventing the escape of liquid and waste discharged from' the sink through the opening between the spindle and the support means.

4. An attachment for a sink of the type having '12 an opening through one of its walls, the said attachment comprising in combination a tubular spindle selectively adapted to discharge liquid and waste therethrough or to receive and support an appliance, support means for rotatably supporting the spindle in a position outsidefthe sink in which the end of the spindle facing the sink wall having said opening therethrough is disposed slightly below the said wall and in registry with the said opening for providing access to the spindle from within the sink, drive means for rotating'the spindle and anappliance received therein, locking means arranged toeXtend into the spindle and to engage a shaft of an appliance inserted in said-spindle for securing the shaft against-rotation relative to the spindle, and a stationarily mounted drain conduit disposed in alignment with and encompassing .the other end of the spindle for'draining liquid and waste discharged from the sink through the spindle.

5. An attachment as described in claim 4, in combination with. an appliance having a shaft adapted to be received by the tubular spindle, yieldable locking means supported on the shaft and engageable with the locking means extending into'the spindle, and a flexible Washer positioned to be pressed against the edge of the spindle end in registry with said sink opening when the said locking means engage each other, thereby preventing passage of liquid and waste between said shaft and said spindle.

HENRY JOHN MODREY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

